Investing in the soil is an integral part of the lawn and gardens ecosystem. A healthy soil provides the plants the oxygen, nutrients and water that’s needed to contribute to a healthy plant. There are a couple of ways that everyone can invest in the soil.

First, by applying an organic matter, such as compost (approx. ½” coating) to your lawn and raking or watering it down in, to insure that the microorganisms and nutrients get to the soil surface. As the compost is watered in the soil, releasing microorganisms along with a small amount of nutrients into the soil.

The second way is to cover the soil surface with an organic mulch. As microorganisms near the soil surface and break it down, nutrients are released into the soil. The applied mulch will also regulate soil temperature, protecting the plant roots from stress from extreme heat and cold. The mulch will also reduce wind and water erosion and help preserve the soil’s organic matter. Mulch, also helps with water management by reducing the landscape’s need for water by slowing evaporation from the soil surface and decreasing water-hogging weed populations. Organic mulches provide shelter and food for beneficials like ground beetles and toads.

Note: If your soil is compacted, we would encourage you to do a core aeration before adding compost or an organic compost/ mulch mix. Also, you can use loam and we would suggest if you decide to go this route, to use a loam with a 20% compost mix (approx. ½” coating.)